New Delhi, Nov. 1 : Reiterating the government’s stand that ‘intolerance’ was not on the rise in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday asserted that India remains a highly tolerant and liberal society.

Jaitley accused the obstructers of ‘wanting to project India as an intolerant society’.

“There are many who have never intellectually accepted the idea of the BJP being in power. This obviously includes the Congress, many left thinkers and activists. Over decades they have practiced ideological intolerance towards BJP. They wish to project India as an intolerant society but the truth is otherwise,” Jaitley said in his Facebook post.

Hitting out at the Opposition, Jaitley added that their intolerance extended to not accepting an alternative ideological pole and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been the worst victim of this ideology since 2002.

“Their strategy is twofold. Firstly, obstruct Parliament and do not permit reforms which will bring credit to Modi Government. Secondly, create, by structured and organized propaganda, an environment that there is a social strife in India. Perpetrators of this propaganda never allowed alternative viewpoints to grow in either universities, academic institutions or cultural bodies that they have controlled,” Jaitley said.

Branding the Dadri lynching case as a ‘stray’ incident, the Finance Minister said it was both unfortunate and condemnable, adding that the guilty will be taken to task.

Jaitley emphasized that India remained a highly tolerant and liberal society and the cultural values had imbibed co-existence.

“India has repeatedly rejected intolerance. It does not respond to provocations. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every well-wisher of India and the present Government to make sure that no action or statement of his provides a tool in the hands of those who want to obstruct India’s growth story,” Jaitley said.

“The obstructers have a simple plan – if they can’t fight politically, they fight with hostile propaganda,” he added.

Jaitley had earlier expressed his displeasure over the government being accused for intolerance in the country and disapproved the move of the creative personalities and literary icons to return their awards branding them ‘rabid anti-BJP elements’ and their protest a manufactured rebellion. (ANI)